SYDNEY 2000 / SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES | G'DAY L.A. / Insights into the Australian way of life: : LOCAL ANGLE

Canvassing Area for Aussie Art

The only Australian art that attracts overseas attention is contemporary Aboriginal. That's the view of Jill Richards, an American who grew up in Southern California and moved to Australia to run an art gallery in Sydney.

"Sydney is a cosmopolitan city, with an Aussie irreverent twist," she said. "The art community is full of talented and respected artists."

Richards opened the Port Jackson Fine Art gallery in Laguna Beach in April to help expose more than 20 Australian contemporary artists, who are not all native Australians but live there.

The current exhibit, which ends Oct. 15, features work by Jules Sher and Graeme Townsend, whose paintings range from $2,400 to $12,500.

Karyn Lovegrove Gallery in Los Angeles also represents Australian contemporary artists. Before Lovegrove opened the gallery eight years ago, she directed art galleries in Australia.